Direct fire attachment for mortars and the like



Sept 9, 1947. P. s. sNYDER DIRECT FIRE ATTACHMENT Fon MoRTARs AND THE LIKE Filed May '18, 1944 3 Sheets-Sheet l www P. s. SNYDER 2,427,027

DIRECT FIRE ATTACHMENT FOR MORTARS AND THE LIKE Sept. 9, 1947.

Filed May 18, 1944 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Sept. 9, 1947. PJs. SNYDER DIRECT FIREV ATTACHMENT FOR MORTARS AND .THE LIKE Filed May 1:3, 1944 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 Patented Sept. 9, 1947 DIRECT FIRE ATTACHMENT FOR MORTARS AND THE LIKE Philip S. Snyder, Cromwell, Ind. Application May 18, 1944, Serial No. 536,108

9 Claims. (Cl. 89-1) (Granted under the act of March 3, 1883, as amended April 30, 1928; 370 O. G. 757) The invention described herein may be manufactured and used by or for the Goverment for governmental purposes without the payment to me of any royalty thereon.

The invention relates to ordnance of larger caliber than small arms and ordinarily heretofore used in trench mortars, and has for an object to provide a weapon which may be shoulder fired, or alternatively used conventionally as a mortar, and in which conventional mortar ammunition may be used when shoulder fired in direct nre, that is, with low or horizontal elevation.

It is an important object to provide simple means which may be incorporated on Stokes mortars and the like to convert them to shoulder use or other direct fire practices so that the regular gravity-fired mortar ammunition may be used for horizontal, low elevation, or depression angle ring.

The shortcomings of .the high-angle of re heretofore required in trench mortars have been generally realized, especiallyl when there has been need for action against moving targets such as tanks or other vehicles, and personnel; or when infantry or other troops come into situations where immediate action by moderate caliber high explosive demolition or fragmentation shell is desirable at short range, notwithstanding that grenade launchers are available.

It is therefore an object of my invention to obviate the need for the heavy base plate and bipod so as to be more easily portable and to adapt the mortar tube to be used with few added parts so that it may be red from the shoulder or While otherwise manually supported, utilizing the principle of conventional rigid'structure or ground support but modiiied to the extent that it may be backed against a wall, tree, stump or earth bank While supported otherwise by the soldier firing the weapon. or a second soldier may assist the rst by bodily opposing the recoil by a special technique, if small weight shells are used.

A special aim of the invention is to provide means whereby momentum may be imparted to the projectile sufficient to move the shell from the muzzle to the base ring pin of a mortar tube when the tube is nearly or quite horizontal, thus eliminating need for breach opening, block, and ring mechanism, so that the safety and simplicity of firing of the usual mortar round is retained.

Another purpose of the invention is to present a novel, rugged and simple means to automatically effect the movement of the round into the 2 barrel, operatedby a manual trigger device so that the aiming and ring of my improved Weapon may be carried out in a manner closellr co'responding to the ring of the conventional r1 e.

Additional objects, advantages and features of invention reside in the construction. arrangements and combination of parts involved in the embodiment of the invention-fand the method and sequence of steps in practice of the invention, as will be apparent or understood from the following description and accompanying drawings, wherein Fig, 1 is a side elevation of a Weapon embodying my invention, in cocked position, with a shell in place ready to be fired.

Fig. 2 is a similar view after firing.

Fig. 3 (sheet 2) is a top View of the Weapon cocked.

Fig. 4 is a top View of the weapon after firing.

Fig. 5 (sheet 1) is a section on the line 5-5 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 6 (sheet 3) is a fragmentary perspective view of the operating parts.

Fig. 7 (sheet 2) is an exploded View of the sear assembly.

F Fig. 8 (sheet 3) is a section on the line 8-8 of Fig. 9 (sheet 2) is a fragmentary elevation of a modification.

t, Fig. 10 (sheet 3) is a front View of the modificaion.

Fig. 11 is a view showing a manner of use.

Fig. 12 is a View showing a further manner of use.

Fig. 13 is a View showing use in a trench.

Fig. 14 (sheet 1) is a modification of the mortar breech providing an air Vent.

Fig. 15 is a sectional view thereof on line I5--I5 of Fig. 14.

' Fig. 16 is a sectional View thereof on line IB-IG of Fig. 14.

Fig. l'-(sheet 3) is a View similar to Fig. 111 of a further form of Vent.

1 Figs. 18 and 19 area longitudinal section and a rear end View, respectively, of a modified trigger structure; and,

Fig. 20 is a fragmentary elevation showing the ball and socket connection between the mortar cap head and base plate.

Referringto the drawings, there is shown the barrel I5 of a mortar, which may conform identlcally in size and structure to one heretofore largely used under the designation of "trench mortar, mm., M2,-this having been utilized is set, of much smaller diameter than the adjacent end of the body, so that a shoulder 1| is thus presented around the fuze, spaced from the forward end of the latter. The body is enlarged conically rearward from the fuZe to a cylindrical` bourrelet portion 10, and is tapered conically rearward therefrom to the ns 12. Inwardly of the ns a cartridge of propellant explosive having a rearwardly exposed primer forms the extremity of the projectile.r Increments of propellant are also provided, which may be vadded or subtracted in any number appropriate to the force required. Details' of the cartridge and increment are not illustrated, being well understood and constituting no novel details of this invention. The bourrelet is adapted to nt the barrel with small clearance, as is known.

The barrel is a simplev tube having a base cap i5 closing its breech, this capbeing provided with the usual axial xed ring pin |1 extended forwardly sufciently to lire the primer of the familiar propellant cartridge used in the shells red from vtrench mortars heretofore by simply dropping them into the wellelevated barrel so that gravity acting on the shellwould drive it against the ring pin with suicient momentum to detonate the primer. The cap head is also provided with an external rigidly mounted axially .located ball I3 which maybe set for universal pivot movement in a socket I9 of a base plate 2|) for a use corresponding in some degree to that of the conventional base plate ofY a trench mortar but preferably made much lighterg to facilitate por-tage of the weapon, and preferably having spikes 2|' somewhat sharp so that they will readilyV penetrate wood to some degree, 'by manuall pressure, and will readily engage in crevices of masonry sufliciently to steady the breech when pressed toward the masonry.

A framing for my loading and iiring means i-s detachably mounted on the barrel, although it may be a permanent installation and may be otherwise incorporated.

In this instance a principal angle bar frame member 2| is provided, L-shaped in cross-section and longitudinally arranged over and parallel to the barrel, with a lower base flange portion 22 disposed horizontally in the drawings and an, up- -standing ange 23 at the left hand side.' Strap or split-sleeve clamp brackets 24 and 25a1e pro'- vided at rear and front secured permanently and rigidly to the angle frame, the rear strap having a transverse planiform back; plate V2,6 extended upwardly therefrom and across the rear end of the angle frame 2|, to which it is united. The clamp 24 is secured in engagement with the cap I6v by usual nut and bolt 21.v The front clamp bracket is lsimilar to the rear one except that it extends further longitudinally of the barreh and is clamped by a heavier nut and bolt 28,; and instead of aA transverseA plate connection with the frame 2|, a vertical longitudinally arranged thick planiform cam plate30 is setradially on the clamp sleeve'and secured or united therewith,` the base ange 22 being also united therewith. The

forward edge of this cam extends rearwardlyand upwardly from the forward edge of the clamp sleeve 25, in a comb shape, with a terminal forwardly projected stop tongue or lug 29 thereon for a purpose which will appear.

y The sleeve 25is circumferentially slit as at 3| near its front end in a plane normal to the longitudinal axis of the sleeve. The longitudinal slit or slot 3| extends across this slit 3| to the end of the sleeve, so that two fingers 32 are provided independent of the clamp eifect of the nut and bolt 28. The sleeve 25 is interiorly threaded at its forward part only and projects ybeyond the barrel l5 at least to the slit 3|, and a section of tubing 33 of the same interior diameter as the barrel is exteriorly threaded at one end and screwed into the threads of the fingered end of the clamp. This tube is lingered or segmented by a number of wide longitudinal slots 34 extending from near the sleeve 25 through the forward end constituting a loading tray, adapted to receive loosely therein a conventional or other shell to be catapulted into the barrel, as will be described, There is one linger 32 at the upper side of the lbarrel and one at the lower side of sufficient extent to permit bending or springing thereof by an entered tray so that the latter will not rotate. One wide slot 35 is formed at the top of the tray 33 to receive slidably and withdrawably a shell-engaging claw to be described. The clamp may be formed with an interiorly threaded nipple 36 at its lower side into which a rest or leg 31, exteriorly threaded may be screwed.

The cam plate 30 is recessed at its, rear lower part, forming a socket 38 with a rearwardly projected stud 39, inserted in the front end of a hollow rod 40, which extends throughout the length of the apparatus to the back plate 26, against which it abuts, being secured thereto by a stud bolt 4| set in the end of lthe rod and engaged through the back plate and secured by a nut 42 screwed againstl the rear side of the plate 26. A long, helical, wire compression main spring 43 is engaged loosely around thisrod, seated against the cam and bearing rearwardly toward a slide 4.4 mounted on the rod. The spring is capable of expanding nearly the fulllength of the rod and presse-s the slide to the rear limit of movement of the latter on the rod. The slide is in the form of a narrow elongated box open at its upper side having parallel side walls and connecting end walls or heads 45'apertured to receive the rod 40 slidably therethrough. The slide has a flatV bottom 46 spaced close to the ange 22 of the angle bar 2|.

On the under side of the flange. 22 of the angle bar near the rear end there is secured a heavy sear spring 41 consisting of a flat plate extended longitudinally forward a suitable distance, -bevelled on the upper side at its forward thickened end, and having, on its upper side near this end, a sear I41', which projects through an opening 48 in the flange 22 to a distance above the latter into the path of sliding movement of the slide 44. The rear side of the sear slopes upward and forwardly, while its forward side is vertical and adapted to engage the rear side of the slide to hold the latter in cocked positiony as in Fig. l.. Between the slide and the spring 43v there is interposed a compensator plate 49, and connected between this and the slide there is a zig-zag spring y5|), so constructed that it exerts sufi'cient force to extend itself longitudinallyV between the slide and the compensator when the main spring 43 is nearly or quite fully expanded, so as to hold the latter slightly compressed, but the spring 5U is 'collapsible under less force than is exerted lby the spring 43 when compressed by cooking of the slide. A cooking handle 4 4 is rigidly fixed on the right hand side of the slide.

' A trigger mechanism is provided consisting of a flat longitudinally arranged pry bar 5| mounted slidably on the under side of the flange 22 vin a strap guide 52, and extending forwardly from near the forward end of the spring d1 when in cocked position. Its rear edge is bevelled on the under side and the bar has movement rearwardly in firing to engage between the bevelled edge of the spring ll and the angle bar 2|, and so lower the sear to clear the slide. A trigger sleeve 53 is flxedly connected directly to the lower flange 22 of the angle bar parallel thereto and at a level with the pry bar. The rear end of this sleeve is longitudinally slotted on each side as at 54 and the pry bar is formed with a right angle lateral arm extension 55 set across the sleeve and slidable in the slots 54. It has an initial position-in the slots forwardly of the rear end of the tube sufficient to permit the bar '5| to operate the sear While the arm 455 is still in the slots 54. The strap 52 may serve as a limit to rearward movement of the bar 5.| just after the sear has been fully drawn downward. lSlidably movable longitudinally in the sleeve there is a cylindrical inertia bolt 5B having a radial trigger arm 5l set therein engaged through a longitudinal slot 58 formed in the outer side ofthe sleeve so that the bolt and arm 51 may have full stroke movement in the sleeve from an initial forward cocked position in which the bolt is spaced a substantial distance forwardly of the forwardmost position of the arm 55, to a rear limit against the arm 55 while the latter is at its rear limit of movement.

The slot 58 is formed with a downward extension 59 at its forward end into which the arm 51 may be moved to hold the bolt in cocked position. A trigger spring Bil is set in the forward end of the sleeve 53 and conned against the bolt by a cotter pin 6| or other means.

The spring 60 is a helical wire compression spring' capable of expanding to a distance rearwardly short of or to the rearmost position of'the bolt. Fixed on the sleeve 53 there is a grip |52,

extending in a direction convenient for grasping to steady and aim the piece and also to afford a rigid support for the hand of the marksman while operating the trigger 5l, which is preferably done by pressing upwardly thereon with the thumb while the grip is grasped between the fingers and palm of the same hand. 1n the present instance the grip consists of a short length of pipe flattened at one end and the flattened part laid and welded against the sleeve 53, but other forms and materials may be employed as found expedient.

Pivoted on the slide 44 on each side there are two parallel link arms B3 of a loader 64, the arms extending forwardly beside the cam 30 and having a transverse planiform plate y615 united with their forward' ends at their lower sides and having a transverse rear edge -66 serving as a wiper to engage the forward cam edge of the cam 30.

The plate has a part l|51 extended obliquely forward and downward, when in cocked position and is formed with a bfurcated claw or pusher 8l' at .its extremity, the fingers of which extend vertically downward beside'and below the axis of thel barrel and tray 33. These ngers are in a plane normal to saidl axis and are spaced apart sufficiently to receive therebetween the nose fuze 68 of a conventional shell 4|59, suchas the one known 6 as the M49A2,.although other projectiles, including theLMSOAZ, and others, may be used.

The device being` intended principally for firing the shell M49A2 which is approximately nine and one-half inches long overall, the length of the arms 63 is such that `when the slide is forward in cocked position the fingers of the lclaw may engage the forward end or shoulder 1| on the body of a projectile beside the fuze while the rear ends of the ns 12 of the shell are at or near the mouth of the barrel with the body .of the projectile resting on the tray. I provide a means to block premature rearward movement of the projectile until operation of the firing mechanism. This may consist of a weak spring linger 13 consisting of a leaf spring having one end secured against the lower external face of the tray and extending forwardly a distance and upwardly through a slot 14 in the tray and thence forwardly and downwardly with an inclination such as to permit ready deflection by wiping or camming action of a projectile when thrust rearwardly by the loader, as will be described. Other safety means for this purpose may be employed, as will be appreciated, a certain additional form being described hereinafter.

It may be noted that the arms 63 of the loader at cocked position (Fig. 1) rest onthe lower horizontal flange 22 of the angle bar 2|, as a limit to downward movement of the arms at this position, and also as a guide and support during rearward movement of the loader. When cocked, the loader is otherwise free for upward pivotal movement, and may be manually lifted.

The forward'edge of the cam 30 terminates at the top surface of the flange 22 and immediately at the forward end of the latter, this cam part being inclined rearwardly and upward atan acute angle to the flange but being also curved upwardly so. that the angle progressively increases for a distance, the upper part being then curved rearwardly at a rapidly decreasing angle to the flange, so that the mean angle of the cam from its base to the lug 29 approximatessomewhat more than 50 degrees. It may also be noted that the lug 29 extends forwardly over the cam face to a point beyond a vertical line dropped to the part of the cam of maximum angle to the flange 22.

The rear edge 66 of the plate B5 is rounded to facilitate itsv movement upward by and on the cam, so that under rearward movement of the loader the plate will be readily lifted. The angle and form of the cam may be varied as requirements may dictate, but it is desirable that its mean angle be as great as possible, so as to minimize the movement longitudinally necessary to lift the claw 6l from the path of a projectile leaving the barrel.

The upper face of the cam is arranged so as to support the loader with the extremities of the claw clear of the mouth of the barrel. The plate 65 extends rearwardly a sufficient distance to engage the base of the lug 29 while the claw is still clear of the end of the angle bar 2|.

Pivoted on the left side ofthe angle bar 2|, there is a plate 'l5 adapted to swing from a raised position close beside the flange 23 downward to an approximately horizontal position as in Figs. 8 and 10, a linger 16 being extended therefrom arranged to engage the bar 2| as a stop to support the plate in the lowered position. At the swinging extremity of the plate 15, there is a rectilinear bar 11 parallel to the barrel I5, and of a maximum practicable length, longitudinally slidable on the plate, and secured by thumb screw 11. Front and rear conventional sights 18 and 19 4are mounted at the forward and rear extremities respectively of this `bar in proper positions to be used in sightingA the weapon by the..;marksman when the barrel is "rested on his shoulder. l

On account of dashpot .action of a projectile and-the. barrel, it may be .desirable to provide meansto vent air from the barrel as the projectile moves rearwardly therein, and for this purpose I have illustrated in Figs. 14, 15 and 16 a modification of the breech capr 8U, wherein a concentric :annular series of small vent-ports 8| areformed therethrough around the base of the neck of. the ball I8.' The firing pin 82 is shown fixed concentrically in and projecting forwardly of a thick valve plate 83 longitudinally slidable in the cap and having a plurality of conical valve heads 84 alined with respective ports 8l. If desired two retainer pins B5 may be fixed in the plate 83 and projected slidably through two of the ports 8|, being headed rearwardly so as' to limit forward movement of the plate 83. Exterior or interior spring means may be provided to hold the plate 83 yieldingly at itsrfor- Ward limit of movement clearing the vents, and in thislinstance a conical spiral wire compression spring 8.6 is shown confined between the plate 83 and head of the cap. A series of ports or notches 81 are formed through the plate 83 out of line with the ports A8|, so that with the plate 83. at forward position air may pass freely therethrough and through the open portsBl. Alternatively, the ring pin may be fixed conventionally in the cap 80, and the plate 83k centrallysapertured to clear the firing pin, as in Fig. 17.

In' order to provide a positive stop to prevent a shell from sliding prematurely into the Ibarrel yet leave a complete clearance on firing, I have shown in Figs. 9 and 10 an adaptation of the trigger to serve this function. In this instance the. bolt 56 is provided with a reduced forward coaxial shaft extension 88 extended forwardly of the barrel and bracket sleeve 25 and has extended therefrom aradial arm 89 en which a lateral finger 90 is formed curved concentrcally with the shaft 88, and positioned so as to enter the right hand slot 34 of the tray, which may be 'widened if desired to permit an eccentric form to the finger I911| if desired.

This finger is of such length as to be fully retracted from within the tray when the trigger 51 is in the horizontalportion of the slot 56, but extended into the path of the body of the shell when the trigger. is in the downward exten- Sion 59 of the slot.

The shaft portion may be of sufficient length to locate the finger 90 forwardly of the rear end 'of the slot 34 a sufficient distance to permit full movement of the b-olt 56' while the finger is still in line with the base of the tray and the clamp `bracket 25, or may be located close to the rear end of the slot 311 and be short eno-ugh to clear the sleeve 25. l

It is contemplated that the complete weapon with loading and firing mechanism may be embodied with a weight in the'neighborhood of fifteen pounds, especially if aluminum and magnesium areused wherel practicable.

In the operation of the weapon the parts being constructed and assembledA as described, in order to fire a shell therefrom, the trigger and pry bar are firstv moved to cocked position, with the trigger arm in the extension 59 of theA slot 58, and the slide 44 then cocked by pressing forward on the handle 44 until caught -by the sear 41. This requires considerable effort and as the device has heretofore been constructed, the fully compressed spring 43 exerted a force of more than fteen pounds, although it is possible that this may be less if an air vent is provided in the rear portion of the barrel.

In case the weapon is being operated entirely by one man, the shell to be red is now inserted tail first vin the traywith the properv propulsion cartridge and increment, if any, in place thereon. This round will be held against rearward movement by the spring finger 13, or the stop nger 9U according to which construction is employed. The introduction of the round is effected b-y one hand moving the loader 64 on its pivot at the slide, so as to clear the claw from the interior of the tray and with the other hand inserting the prepared round. The soldier then lifts the loaded weapon to his shoulder, and standing o-r kneeling, takes a stance or position before a tree, wall or earth bank and rests the base plate 20 against the same while the weapon is approximately aimed. The sight may be lowered at this time or before. In adjusting the weapon on the shoulder, the center of gravity of the weapon may be brought over the shoulder while the sight bracket and trigger are forwardly thereof when the weapon is embodied with a standard length 60 mm. mortar barrel. This enables the sight to be arranged readily before the eye of the gunner, and places the leg 31 in front of the vbody of the gunner, so that elevational movement-may be readily effected without the leg 31 striking the body of the gunner. 'Ihe leg 31 is grasped in the left hand of the gunner and used to effect the elevational movements required, and at the same time to hold the weapon steady Without angular movement around its longitudinal axis. This enables the gunner to keep the sight very close to a plane in which lines normal to the axes of the sight and barrel will be horizontal, avoiding impairment of elevational and azimuthal functions of the sight from lack of levelling, to a large extent.

Incident to elevational movements of the weapon, since it is pivoted against the tree, wall, or bank at the base plate 20, it is necessaryfor vthe gunner to raise or lower his shoulder to accommodate and aid the necessary movements of the piece and when the necessary elevation has been once obtained this may be more or less xed by the gunner pressing his left elbow against his .side and maintaining a firm steady grip on the leg 31. v

At the same time that the leg 31 is manipulated as described, the grip 62 is grasped by the right hand with its thumb resting against the under side of the trigger arm 51. v

Manipulation of the grip .G2 aids azimuth adjustments and these also are effected by. usually a tight lateral shift of the trunk of the gunner without changing the stance.

The lay of the piece having been attained to the satisfaction of the gunner a firm upward pressure of the right thumb on the trigger arm will move the latter intoline withthe horizontal part of the slot 53, and the spring 60 will thrust the bolt 56v rearwardly with accelerated movement untilv the bolt engages against the arm 55 of the pry bar 5|, the sharpened upper edge of the latter passing free over the lower sharp edge of the forward thick end of the sear spring 46 prying the latter downward until the sear 41 clears the slide 44. The main spring d3 then drives the latter rearwardly with great force pulling the loader 64 with it and finally causing lifting of the claw B1. In this movement, the claw drives the shell rearwardly into the barrel I5, momentum of the shell then carrying it onward until the primer of the propellant cartridge encounters the firing pin I1 and is detonated. The shell is then propelled from the barrelby the resultant explosion as will be understood. Less increment may be found necessary for an average range than is required for the extremely high trajectory firing of conventional mortar use, but conventional charges of propellant including increments may be continued in order to attain greater accuracy of fire made possible by the flatter trajectories attained.

When the loader 64 nears completion of its propulsive movement of the shell rearwardly, the claw is lifted by engagement of the plate B5 with the lower advanced cam face of the cam 30 and this movement is greatly accelerated and the claw thrown abruptly upward striking the under side of the lug 29 and being drawn into the recess formed between the forward part of the lug and the cam, until the plate 65 engages the base of the lug or the slide engages the back plate 26; This stops rearward movement of the slide and the loader, the slide being then close to or against the back plate 26. The compensator spring will open somewhat immediately after stoppage of the slide.

If two men are available for operating the weapon, one, as an assistant gunner or ammunition man may take the piece from thegunner after firing, and proceed to cock the trigger and loader as before described after which the gunner again shoulders the weapon and makes ready to re while the assistant introduces a new shell into the tray, or the tray may be loaded before the gunner shoulders the weapon.

Other uses of the weapon and tactical procedures or practices therewith will be readily understood from the foregoing without being detailed here.

A novel function in the trigger device should be noted, consisting in the fact that the bolt 56 is of substantial mass in relation to the loading characteristics of the spring, its extent of action on the bolt, the force required to move the pry bar 5 I and the travel of the bolt before engaging the latter. Y

On account of the heavy loading of the main spring 43, the pressure of the slide 44 against the sear 41 requires considerable force to be applied in order to withdraw the sear, and a simple direct movement by a nge'r trigger or the like would require excessive eiort, while if the bolt 5S were constantly pressed againstV the bar 5I a spring of excessive strength would be required, which would introduce diiculty in the operation of a trigger.

In consequence of the movement permitted in the bolt 56 under propulsion of the spring t0' before the bolt engages the arm 55 of the pry bar, the momentum built up enables the bolt to quickly and easily drive the bar 5I into proper operating engagement with the sear spring, with a minimum disturbance of aim or poise of the gunner.

In some situations, as where the gunner is prone, and the weapon is backed by a stump or the like, the leg 31 may be used to support the piece, and if desired to facilitate change of elevation in such case, the leg may have a pivotal connection, including a clamping thumb-screw, so

that the device may be xed at the desired elevation. It may alsofbe noted that the main spring 43vreaches-its maximum acceleration of the slide before the latter Areaches the rear limit of its movement, andthis may be before or at the time of engagementof the wiper 65 with the cam. Engagementfwith the cam will retard movement of the claw or lpusher Blto a certain extent and. rearward movementof both the slide and claw stops when the edge 66'is adjacent the base of the lug 29 and the slide is near or against the back plate 25. The spring 5l] will open slightly after momentum op the f compensator and spring 43 have been overcome.

While weapons embodying my inventionwill usually be red with some elevation or horizontally, it will also function where the barrel muzzle is depressed somewhat below a horizontal axis or at negative elevation, and it will be understood thatv the termy low elevation, as used herein will include zero elevation and also plus and minus small elevation angles.

In order to effect return of the pry bar to initial positionby the cooking of the trigger device, the bolt 56 may be provided with a rearward longitudinal extension or arm eccentrically located in the sleeve -53 so as'to lie over the arm 55 of the pry bar 5I and of sufliciently reduced crosssection to permit its lateral movement over the arm when the bolt is rocked by cooking or release movements in the extension 59 of the slot 58 in the trigger mounting sleeve; This extension ofj the bolt is of just suicient length forits rear :extremity to be at the rear edge of the arm 55-when both the latter and rthe-bolt are at normal Vforward cocked positions, thefpry bar being clear of the sear spring. On the rear end of the arm 95 a short `iinger piece 95 Ais provided extended across the axisof the sleeve so that it lies across the rear edge of the arm 55 throughout rocking of the bolt. l Y 1 When the trigger is operated to release the bolt, the finger 95 moves rearwardly of the arm 55 and remains-'clear thereof until cooking' of the trigger, when it is drawn forward against the arm 55 moving the latter toinitial position and drawing the pry bar from.- overthe sear spring, The pry bar'is thus'c'onnected t'o the trigger by a lost motion connection the extent of lost motion equalling the movement of the bolt from initial position to the arm 55. y

While I have disclosed my invention in the best form known to me,.it will nevertheless be understood that various changes in the structure arrangement and combination of parts, substitution of materials or equivalents mechanical and otherwise may be made therein without departure from the spirit ofthe invention, as more particularly `set forth in the appended claims, wherein I claim:

1. .In an ordnance weapon for firing aprimed propellant-carrying round, in combination, a barrel having a breech closure provided with an axial firing pin extending forwardly therefrom, a tray constructed and arranged in a manner such' that itv supports a round at the muzzle end of said barrel, momentum imparting means capable of projecting a round from the tray into the barrel and against said firing pin, said momentum imparting means including a slide mounted reciprocably on the barrel, a spring mounted to be stressed to a predetermined maximum under movement of the slide to a cocked position, and an arm connected to said slide and terminating in round engagingmeans constructed and arranged to exert a rearward force on thel round as it is retracted by the spring, releasable detent means normally holding said slide in cocked position, and coacting cam surfaces elevating said round engaging means during the rearward movement of said slide.

2. In an ordnance weapon rfor firing a primed propellant-carrying round, in combination, a barrel having a breech closure provided with an axial nring pin, a frame attached to said barrel, a slide mounted for reciprocation on said frame with a forward limit of reciprocation short of the muzzle of the barrel, a spring mounted to be stressed between said frame and said slide to a maximum under forward movement of said slide toY a cocked position, detent means to hold said slide in said cocked position, manually operable means to release said slide, an arm connected to said slide and extending forwardly beyond said frame, round engaging means extending downwardly from/'the forward part of said arm and mounted for free vertical movement, said round engaging means constructed and arranged to project a round from said tray into said barrel and against tfh'e firing pin when the slide is released from cocked position, a cam on said .frame extended upwardly and inclined rearwardly, said round engaging means having a wiper part positioned to engage said cam in terminal rearward movement of said round engaging means.

3. The structure of claim 2 in which a forwardly extending stop is mounted over and above said cam and positioned to engage and limit upward movement of said round engaging means in terminal rearward movement.

4. The structure of claim 2 is pivoted to said slide.

5; The structure of claim 2 in which said barrel breech closure includes a port opening through the breech inner face, a member slidable in the barrel and having valve aligned with' and constructed and arranged to close said port at rear position of said slidable member, land spring means to hold the sliding member normally at open valve position yieldable on impact of a round to close the valve.

6. The structure of claim 2 in which said barrel breech closure includes in within the arc of the barrel bore, a circular body member slidably fitted in the barrel and having valve members aligned with respective ports, openings through said slidable body member out of line with said ports, and yielding means to hold such slidable body ,member in open port position yieldable to the impact of a round to close said valve.

7. In a muzzle loading arm, in combination with a barrel, a longitudinal projection of the bore of said barrel secured thereto, a, longitudinal slot provided in said projection, a longitudinally reciprocable loader mounted on said barrel and in which said arm a rearwardly projected a plurality of ports therehaving a forward round engaging member movable a distance before the muzzle of said barrel and aligned with said slot for longitudinal movement within said projection of said bore, means to operate said round engaging member to impart a rearward movement thereto, and means to clear said round engaging member from within said longitudinal projection of the bore.

8. The structure of claim 7 in which said barrel'is formed with a ported breech closure and a spring loaded valve therefor' normally open and movable to close the port under impact of a round.

9. In an ordnance weapon for ring a primed propellant-carrying round, in combination, a barrel having a breech closure provided with an axial firing pin extending forwardly rtherefrom, means supporting a round'at the muzzle end of said barrel, and momentum imparting means capable of projecting a, round from said support to said barrel and against said firing pin, said momentum imparting means including a longitudinally movable member, spring means opposing the longitudinal movement of said member in one direction, a, spring plate iixedly mounted for movement towards and away from the path of said longitudinally movable member and having a sear positioned thereon to extend into said path and constructed rto engage said longitudinally movable member as a detent, said plate being of substantialv thickness and beveled on one edge at the upper side, a reciprocable pry bar beveled at its end and positioned to slidably engage said plate beveled edge to pry the spring plate and sear from engagement with said longitudinally movable member, an inertia bolt movable in the same direction as said pry bar and having cocked and released positions, said pry bar having a part positioned in the path of said bolt, a spring engaged with said bolt under stress to move said bolt from cocked position toward said pry bar, and a manually releasable detent trigger to hold said bolt in cocked position.

PHILIP S. SNYDER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references le of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS are of record in the 

